2022 will see six new restaurants in the Comunitat Valenciana boasting a Michelin star, whilst four of the region's restaurants are set to lose the coveted gourmet distinction. The region's overall number of Michelin stars will increase from 21 to 22 for the coming year.
The 2022 stars were announced at a gala evening in Valencia last week, but after the event the Guide's International Director, Gwendal Poullennec, opted to dine in a traditional barraca on the shores of city's Albufera wetlands rather than in one of the region's prize-winning restaurants.
In a clear nod to the worldwide appeal of the region's traditional dishes, Poullennec chose to head to Sueca for a Valencian paella and some all i pebre, a traditional dish containing the garlic and pepper that gives it its name, along with eel or fish, and potato.
The six newly crowned Michelin starred restaurants are: Arrels (Sagunto) by Vicky Sevilla, Atalaya (Alcocebre) by Emanuel Calucci and Alejandra Herrador, Kaido Sushi Bar (València) by Yoshikazu Yanome, Fierro (València) by Germán Carrizo and Carito Lourenço, Lienzo (València) by María José Martínez and Peix i Brases (Dénia) by José Manuel López.
On the other hand, Monastrell (Alicante), Casa Manolo (Daimús), Orobianco (Calpe) and Sents (Ontinyent) have all lost their Michelin star, the latter recently announcing that it would be closing permanently after "12 years of very hard work".
This year's gourmet award winners were quick to express their pleasure at receiving the sought-after gastronomic award:-
Vicky Sevilla, after receiving a flood of congratulatory messages, took to Instagram to thank people: "We have had so many messages and shows of support that we just can't get round to answering all of them. Huge heartfelt thanks to everyone". Arrels also chose Instagram to publish a message of thanks and to say that the Michelin star was the "result of the work and effort of the whole team doing what we love most: cook".
The team at Peix i Brases said much the same on their Instagram account: "This is a very special time for us. This achievement is the result of a great deal of work and passion for what we do. Thanks go to Tomás Arribas for kicking off this thrilling adventure back in 2008. Without him, none of this would have been possible".
Germán Carrizo from Fierro said: "This is the recognition of all these years of hard work, all our passion for and dedication to cooking, which is what we love most of all". Via social media he added: "Our thanks go to Valencia, to Argentina, and to all the different places in the world that have let us do our thing and to everyone who has believed in our project".
The team at Kaido Sushi Bar described the gala evening as an "historic night".
María José Martínez from Lienzo highlighted the fact that her effort and passion had finally been recognised with a loud and clear: "About time too!". "This is crazy", she said. "We're practically fully booked for the whole month and the 'phone just hasn't stop ringing since last night".
Last, but not least, Atalaya also published a message of thanks; "We are living the dream. Thank you to our whole team. This prize is for everyone. We are so happy".
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